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The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) south South Zone ‘F’ will on Friday November 10, 2017 formally appoints the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang as its Grand Patron.
The rare award is conferred on a very credible, hardworking and seasoned administrator that deserves such honour once in a person’s life time and Mr. Ephraim Inyang has been so found worthy of the award.
Speaking to Century Newsfront on phone, the National Vice President, South South Zone ‘F’ of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Pastor Ogude Akpati Edward said the award is an indicator of excellence, hardwork, commitment and leadership par excellence which the Commissioner has exude in his calling, “we do not just give it out just as an ordinary award, it is a reward for hard work and this award is conferred to just one person at a time in a state, Mr. Ephraim Inyang has met the criteria set up by the Nigeria Union of Journalists”.
Pastor Edward also noted that the uncommon award is bestowed on Ephraim Inyang as a result of his unrelented support for journalists and journalism profession within and outside Akwa Ibom State, “the award to be conferred on Mr. Ephraim Inyang has not been conferred to anybody for the past ten years. We usually take pains to do the selection because it is an award that when conferred to the person, it is expected that the person continue to do more to humanity. We in the zone have been following Mr. Ephraim Inyang’s humanitarian and philanthropic gesture to journalists, which we are aware of most of them. These and many more form the basis of the award”.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert who described Mr. Ephraim Inyang as the father of Journalists in Akwa Ibom State added that the Commissioner plays a fatherly role whenever journalists call on him any time, any day, “I am happy that this much coveted award comes to Akwa Ibom State and indeed a man I always call the father of Journalists in the State because, I cannot count the number of Journalists in the state that he has brought succor to them especially, in times of dire need. Look at for instance, the Information Drives that houses, the NUJ, Federal Character Commission, the Pioneer and enroute to the Nigeria Television Authority, the State Police Headquarters was not given any attention by successive governments despite despite our continuous requests years after the creation of the state, but when this present government came in, just one approach to the Governor through the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim, without further repetition, the road today is a beauty to behold”.
Speaking more on what Journalists in the state and indeed, the South South region stands to benefit, Elder Patrick Albert asserted, “to me, the award is like a popular saying that reward for hardwork is more wore to do, I belief that this award will spur the commissioner to do even much more to journalists in the state in particular and the South South Zone in general. I thank God and also thank the National Vice President of NUJ, South South, Pastor Ogude Edward for spotting a Commissioner in Akwa Ibom for the coveted award”.
A general survey conducted on some notable journalists in the state indicates the decision by NUJ South South to honour the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang was a well thought one as supports given to journalists and the Journalism profession has over the time been expressed in different ways to show their appreciation to the Commissioner. They maintained that being South South Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is a great task and “the Commissioner is equal to the task”. Some of the Journalists who spoke openly (but their names with held by us) of the support drawn from Ephraim Inyang said that the time to honour a great man is now given his benevolence. The award is slated for Friday November 10, 2017 at Emerald Event Centre by 2pm.
The event which will be chaired by Mr. Udom Inoyo, Executive Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, a subsidiary of Exxonmobil while the Guest Speaker will be Professor Effiong Johnson of the University of Uyo will have members of the State Executive Council in attendance. Speaker and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Boards and Parastatals, members of the zonal Executive of the NUJ, State Working Committee (SWC) members of the union from the six south south zone of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states as well as other members of the union in attendance, members of the general public are invited to witness the epoch making occasion.
